ALL of the plants energy to grow flowers is made by/in the leaves. Quite simply........... Less leaves = less energy being made = less potential growth. Buds do not need direct light to grow, they need leaves making energy to grow. Light penetrates upper leaves to strike lower sites anyhow. Energy does not get "pulled away" from anywhere, all energy is distributed evenly throughout the entire plant to where growth is occurring and it can not be "concentrated" to any particular area either. "Lollipopping" the lower sections of the branches can be a good idea, but it is not necessary and it will not make the upper buds grow any larger than their genetics are programmed to be. I have never defoliated any plants for over 35 years now and my plants grow huge flowers.

Well, Vorräten has already said everything that could be said, but my personal opinion to answer your question precisely is that the side branches could lose a few sun leaves pointing inward, but don't overdo it. As already mentioned, this can also reduce the yield because these leaves are energy converters and storage at the same time, which should supply everything above them. Therefore, it should be proportionate. That's how I learned it. Good luck and good job! Very nice work, it's fun to watch.

Well, Vorräten has already said everything that could be said, but my personal opinion to answer your question precisely is that the side branches could lose a few sun leaves pointing inward, but don't overdo it. As already mentioned, this can also reduce the yield because those leaves are energy converters and storage at the same time, supplying everything above them. Therefore, it should be proportionate. That's how I learned it. Good luck and good job! Very nice work, it's fun to watch.

Read "to defoliate or not..." on cocoforcannabis.com Their grow guides and articles in dr photon's corner all all solid information mostly devoid of bro-science. they admit when they are unsure of things related to their recommendations. It's refreshing to see. lolipopping can reduce the amount of larf you get but don't expect that to be made up with bigger buds up above. It usually results in a lesser yield but might improve proprotion of good buds vs not so great buds (larf). defoliation -- almost always a bad idea. Leaves are solar panels, lungs and production centers. Even when shielded they are value-added to the plant. Reducing CO2 intake is probably one of the most profounding negative things you can do to the plant. The products of photosynthesis are highly mobile. The sugars and minerals are produced and pumped into phloem. Apical dominance dicates where this is used the most -- i.e. higher positions on plant and related to 'order' of branching too.. (primary, secondary etc...). ony any single branch, the top dominates. Where light hits does not dictate where the products of photosynthesis are used. If you haven't overcrowded, light penetration should be more than enough as is. This stuff is covered in varous guides and articles on cocoforcannabis.com. I strongly suggest you read them all as time allows. Sometimes you may even read them twice if you don't have an educational foundation to help. Not everyone takes a bunch of bio and chem classes because there is no need to. it's not a criticism, merely a fact.